Rookie Trey Yesavage Set to Start World Series Opener for Blue Jays

In a surprising turn of events, Trey Yesavage, the rookie pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, is set to take the mound for the World Series opener against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on October 24, 2023. This marks just his seventh game in the major leagues, a remarkable achievement for the 22-year-old who made his debut only five weeks prior.

Yesavage’s journey to this pivotal moment began when he received a call to meet with John Schneider, the Blue Jays’ manager, and pitching coach Pete Walker. “I was fired up,” Yesavage said about the announcement made on October 22. He quickly shared the news with his girlfriend, arranging for her to fly from North Carolina to support him at the game, while his parents were already scheduled to attend at Rogers Centre.

A Historic Start

When Yesavage takes the mound, he will face none other than Shohei Ohtani, widely regarded as the best player in baseball today. The anticipation is palpable, as Yesavage shared, “The sleep last night was not easy. My mind was just racing.” His debut on September 15 makes him the second pitcher in history to start a World Series game with fewer postseason appearances than regular-season starts, a feat previously achieved by Brooklyn’s Joe Black in 1952.

Selected 20th overall in the 2022 amateur draft from East Carolina University, Yesavage is the youngest player participating in this year’s World Series. His season has been nothing short of a whirlwind, moving from Class A Dunedin to Triple-A Buffalo, with each promotion bringing him closer to this monumental moment in his career. “You should see my truck right now. It looks like a mobile home,” he joked, reflecting on his frequent relocations this season.

Rookie Performance and Strategy

Yesavage has shown impressive skills during his brief career. He recorded a 1-0 record with a 3.21 ERA in three September starts, striking out 16 batters in just 14 innings. Particularly notable was his performance in Game 2 of the Division Series against the Yankees, where he pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out 11 batters. However, he also faced challenges, allowing five runs in a subsequent AL Championship Series game against Seattle.

His pitching style features an unusual arm angle, with 69% of his pitches coming from a distinct position, a rarity among right-handers in the postseason. His splitter has proven effective, resulting in a 23 out of 39 swing-and-miss rate. Yesavage relies heavily on catcher Alejandro Kirk for pitch selection, humorously noting, “I tried shaking him off last start, but he shook me right back off.”

As the team navigates their pitching strategy, veteran Kevin Gausman, who has started the opener in prior rounds, is being considered for future games. Walker explained that they evaluated all options, ensuring Yesavage was on normal rest and feeling confident. Schneider has yet to confirm who will start next, contemplating both Gausman and fellow pitchers Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber.

After the World Series, Yesavage plans to return to his parents’ house in Pennsylvania before finally settling back into his apartment in North Carolina. For the first time since March, he will have the opportunity to stay put for more than a week.

As the Blue Jays prepare for what promises to be an exhilarating matchup against the Dodgers, all eyes will be on Yesavage. His performance could not only define his career but also impact the outcome of the World Series.

With Dodgers’ pitcher Blake Snell set to start the opposing game, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Snell acknowledged the complexity of facing a lineup as formidable as the Dodgers, stating, “There are so many questions about how he’s going to react.”